Shloka 8

Dhvaja–Dhūmra–Paśu-Ākṛti Śakuna: Interpreting Banner, Smoke, and Animal-Form Omens by Stations

Devanagari script

धूम्रस्थाने ध्वजं दृष्ट्वा पूर्वं दुः खं ततो धनम् / धूम्रे धूम्रं तथा दृष्ट्वा कलिदुः खादिकं भवेत्

Transliteration

dhūmrasthāne dhvajaṃ dṛṣṭvā pūrvaṃ duḥ khaṃ tato dhanam / dhūmre dhūmraṃ tathā dṛṣṭvā kaliduḥ khādikaṃ bhavet

Translation

Ein Banner an einem rauchigen Ort zu sehen bringt zuerst Kummer und danach Reichtum. Sieht man jedoch Rauch auf Rauch, so entstehen Leiden wie die des Kali-Zeitalters.

Word by Word

• धूम्रस्थाने: in the smoke-position/place
• धूम्रस्थाने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र-स्थान (प्रातिपदिक; धूम्र + स्थान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण

• ध्वजम्: a flag
• ध्वजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (Non-finite verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त

• पूर्वम्: first; earlier
• पूर्वम्: Sambandha (Temporal/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb of time)

• दुःखम्: sorrow
• दुःखम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (Sequential/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• धनम्: wealth
• धनम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय

• धूम्रे: in/at the smoke(-sign)
• धूम्रे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (प्रयोगे), सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण

• धूम्रम्: smoke; a smoky sign
• धूम्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (प्रयोगे), द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (Non-finite verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त

• कलिदुःखादिकम्: Kali(-age) misery etc.
• कलिदुःखादिकम्: Karya/Phala (Result/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलि-दुःख-आदिक (प्रातिपदिक; कलि + दुःख + आदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय

• भवेत्: would occur
• भवेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mixed karmic fruition: duḥkha precedes sukha; intensified obscuration (smoke on smoke) signals collective decline akin to Kali’s duḥkha.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-vikṣepa and moha (obscuration) disturb clarity; steadiness and sattva-cultivation mitigate Kali-like turbulence.

Application: When outcomes appear mixed, endure initial hardship with patience; if signs indicate escalating disorder, simplify life, strengthen ethics, and seek protective spiritual routines.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: liminal/atmospheric zone (smoke-filled area near hearth/cremation/ritual fire or battlefield haze)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.199 (dhūmra-sthāna nimitta-phalāni; Kali-duḥkha mention)

Characters & Entities

• Kali (Kali Yuga)

FAQs

What is the importance of omens like smoke and flags in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats such sights as nimitta (portents): a flag seen amid smoke indicates an initial period of distress followed by gain, while repeated smoke signifies a broader rise of discord and misery associated with Kali-like conditions.

How does this verse relate to Kali Yuga suffering?

By stating that “smoke upon smoke” leads to “Kali-duḥkha,” the verse links compounded obscuration/confusion (symbolized by thickening smoke) with the characteristic troubles of Kali—distress, instability, and decline in well-being.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat recurring warning signs as prompts for caution: reduce avoidable risks, strengthen dharmic conduct, and prioritize clarity (satya, sobriety, careful decisions) when circumstances feel increasingly “smoky” or confusing.